3 Things

First, we are joined by Indian Express' Chief of National Political Bureau Manoj CG to discuss the first major crisis faced by the opposition INDIA bloc, as two of its partners have chosen to contest elections independently in their respective states.

Second, Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs editor Shubhajit Roy talks about this year's Republic Day Chief Guest French President Emmanuel Macron, and the significance of the India-France ties (12:32).

Lastly, we give you an update about the media interaction conducted by Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly, during his visit to India (23:12).

Hosted by Shashank Bhargava
Written and Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 25th of January and here are the headlines.

French President Emmaunel Macron, who is the chief guest for this year's Republic Day event, landed in Jaipur today. He was received by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Macron is scheduled to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today in the afternoon for a roadshow, called the Shobha Yatra. During the Shobha Yatra, Macron and Modi will travel from Jantar Mantar to Hawa Mahal from 6 pm onwards, covering a kilometre in the Pink City.

The Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, resumed from Assam and entered Cooch Behar from West Bengal today. The Bengal leg of the Yatra comes in the backdrop of tensions within the INDIA alliance, with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee saying that her party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls independently. The TMC will also abstain from joining the yatra. Banerjee said, “As a gesture of courtesy, did they (Congress) let me know that they are coming to Bengal for the Yatra? I am not aware of it.”

Continuing his standoff with the CPI(M)-led state government, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan today cut short his policy address to the Budget Session of the Assembly, wrapping up in less than two minutes. After reading out the first paragraph addressing the Assembly, Khan jumped to the last para of the 61-page-long policy address, before winding up the speech, one of the shortest policy addresses of a governor in the Kerala Assembly marking the beginning of the Budget Session.

Jammu and Kashmir scripted history on Wednesday for providing entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities to a record 94,680 youths in a single day. The sanction letters were distributed at a function presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, just two days before the Republic Day. On the occasion, Sinha congratulated the Jammu Kashmir Bank for its endeavour to strengthen the spirit of Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan and Swarozgar Utsav – two ongoing campaigns aimed at the financial empowerment of farmers and the youth.

Days after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, the large crowds of devotees that had thronged the newly inaugurated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya appeared to have thinned out slightly on Thursday morning. By 6 am today, there were two queues — each about a kilometre long — outside the temple premises. However, officials said the numbers would increase over the course of the day as devotees were likely to partake in a ritual called ‘paush purnima’, in which devotees take a dip in the Saryu river.

This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak discusses the significance of the Ram Temple for the BJP and the challenge it poses for opposition parties.

Next, Indian Express’ Rakhi Jagga informs us about the latest restrictions imposed by the Canadian government on international students (13:45).

Lastly, we take a quick look at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma’s recent comments on the FIR filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Assam (21:55).

Hosted by Shashank Bhargava
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 24th of January and here are the headlines.

As the Congress party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from Assam’s Barpeta today, party leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that he cannot be intimidated by the BJP-RSS. He openly challenged them to file as many cases against him as they wished. He also accused state CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of “spreading hate and usurping the land of the people of Assam.” The Assam police had registered a case against Gandhi and other Congress leaders yesterday following a scuffle between participants of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the Assam Police when the yatra attempted to enter Guwahati city.

In another jolt to the INDIA bloc ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today announced that the Aam Aadmi Party will not stitch up an alliance with Congress in the state. Mann’s declaration came even as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the TMC is not in any discussion with the Congress, and that her party would go it alone in the 20 Lok Sabha election in the state.

Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has backed the idea of simultaneous elections. He told the ‘One Nation One Election’ committee in his response that the concept “warrants careful deliberation before becoming an integral part of the electoral framework”. The high-level committee had written to Mishra on 2nd of January as a part of its consultative process. In his reply on 16th of January, Mishra said quite, “One Nation, One Election presents a promising stride forward for India. Its a very welcome step”. Unquote.

Aviation watchdog DGCA has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.10 crore on Air India for safety violations with respect to operations of leased Boeing 777 planes to the US.This is the second time in a week that the regulator has penalised Air India. The regulator had received a complaint from a former Air India pilot alleging that the airline operated Boeing 777 planes to the US without having the required system of emergency oxygen supply.

The Supreme Court today questioned Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta’s submission that the government did not accept the 1981 amendment made by Parliament to the Aligarh Muslim University Act, and said it cannot take such a stand. The top court said that “irrespective of which government represents the cause of the Union of India, Parliament’s cause is eternal, indivisible and indestructible” and that the government would have to stand by the amendment.

This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, with the consecration of the Ram Temple taking place on Monday, The Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak joins us to take a moment to look back at the movement’s history and how it has changed course over two centuries.

Second, we talk about the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Ever since they arrived in Assam, several Congress leaders have accused the BJP of deliberately disrupting the Yatra. To understand what is happening in Assam we have The Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah joining us in this segment.

Lastly, we talk about the local municipal corporation in Mumbai carrying out the demolitions of nearly a dozen structures in the Muslim-dominated Haidary Chowk area of Mira Road two days after a clash between members of two communities broke out in the area.

Hosted by Rahel Philipose
Written and Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Rahel Philipose and Niharika Nanda
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 23rd of January and here are the headlines.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today asked the state police to register a case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for ‘provoking the crowd’ after the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was stopped by the police in Joarabat on its way to Guwahati. This triggered protests from Congress workers who broke barricades and raised slogans. Congress’s Assam chief Bhupen Borah and party leader Jakir Hussain Sikdar were among those injured amid a scuffle between people taking part in the Yatra and the police as the yatra tried to enter Guwahati. The CM had earlier said the yatra would not be allowed inside Guwahati city as it would cause congestion. This had angered Congress leaders, who accused the BJP government in the state of abusing power to scupper the Congress yatra.

A massive crowd thronged the entrance of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya this morning, keeping the security agencies and the temple management busy. Though the administration had expected a large gathering today following the consecration ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, the pilgrims started arriving at the gates around 3 am. By 6 am, the Ram Janmabhoomi Path leading to the temple was full of pilgrims trying to push their way inside.

Leaders across party lines paid tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary today, celebrated as Parakram Diwas. President Droupadi Murmu paid her respects, highlighting Netaji’s unwavering commitment to India’s independence and his enduring impact on the nation’s freedom struggle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion and said Netaji's “unwavering dedication to the nation’s freedom continues to inspire”.

At least six people were injured after a Myanmar military aircraft skid off the runway at Mizoram’s Lengpui Airport. The Mizoram Director General of Police (DGP) Anil Shukla said. As many as 14 people were on board the plane along with the pilot. The injured were admitted to Lengpui Hospital.

Canada Immigration Minister Marc Miller is all set to impose a two-year limit on international student admissions. Addressing a press conference at Ottawa earlier on Monday, the minister said this measure will provide both federal and provincial authorities with the opportunity to address a system he deems exploitative of high international student tuition, often resulting in subpar education.

This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, we talk about a tragedy in Gujarat where 12 school children and two of their teachers died after a boat capsized in Harni Lake, which is located in Vadodara. To get more information on the incident and its investigation, we have Indian Express' Aditi Raja with us in this segment.

Second, we talk about the Annual Status of Education Report survey of 2023 which provides insights into the levels of learning among young children, including information about their foundational reading and arithmetic skills. To gain a deeper understanding of the report's findings, we have Indian Express’ R. Radhika joining us in this segment.

Lastly, we talk about the announcement of the “Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana,” by PM Modi after the Ram Temple consecration at Ayodhaya.

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Written and Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Rahel Philipose and Niharika Nanda
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It’s the 22nd of January and here are the headlines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ in Ayodhya today said that it was an emotional moment for him as after years of wait, Lord Ram had finally arrived in Ayodhya. While addressing the invitees, he said, quote, “Ram Lalla will no longer reside in a tent as this great temple has been consecrated for him." Unquote. He said he would want to use the day to apologize to Lord Ram as it took them so many centuries to complete the consecration of the temple.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today termed the reasons given by the Tamil Nadu Police as “atrocious”, while rejecting an application by a local temple in the state’s Dindigul district seeking permission for almsgiving (annadanam) in connection with the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha event. The bench was hearing a plea which alleged that on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin had “issued oral orders/Directions to the Police Department not to permit any kind of Poojas, Archanas, Annadhanam, Live Telecast of Pran Prathishta, Bhajans and processions in the name of Lord Ram on the auspicious occasion of “Pran Prathista” of Lord Ram at Ayodhya, in all the Temples of Tamil Nadu.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is currently passing through Assam, slammed the authorities for allegedly stopping him from visiting the Sri Sri Sankar Dev Satra temple in Nagaon. He said, quote, “It seems like only one person is allowed to enter a temple today. Will PM Modi decide who visits temples?" Unquote. The Congress will hold demonstrations across the country this evening over what it claimed to be “planned attacks” on the convoys of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam.

Japan’s Sony Group Corporation today called off the proposal to merge its Indian subsidiary Sony Pictures Networks India Private Ltd (SPNI), with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. Sony Corporation issued a notice terminating the definitive agreements relating to the $10 billion merger, which was previously announced on 22nd of December 2021. While Sony cited the delay in the merger, there were conflicting views about the leadership of the combined entity by Zee’s MD & CEO Punit Goenka.

Air India will put into service its brand-new Airbus A350-900 today. The plane, which is also the first A350 aircraft in the country, was officially inaugurated at Wings India 2024 in Hyderabad last week. It will be initially deployed on domestic routes for a few months for crew familiarisation flights, before switching to international medium and long-haul routes by mid-2024.
This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

On the occasion of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya today, we discuss the opinions of young people in Uttar Pradesh (those born after the Babri Masjid demolition) regarding the Ram Temple. Additionally, we also explore the reasons behind the Congress party's decision not to attend the ceremony.

Guests: Indian Express’ Deeptiman Tiwary and Manoj CG
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
It’s the 19th of January and and here are the top stories of this week.

Ram Lalla idol has been installed in sanctum sanctorum, at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Thursday.Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that all central government offices will remain closed for half a day on 22nd of January on the occasion of the consecration ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday released commemorative postage stamps on the Ram temple in Ayodhya and a book of stamps issued on Lord Ram around the world.

Rahul Gandhi kickstarted his Manipur to Mumbai Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Thoubal near Imphal on Sunday. Of about 100 Lok Sabha seats the Yatra would criss-cross, as per a tentative list The Indian Express has seen, as many as 58 are in the Hindi-speaking states. The Yatra will spend the maximum number of days – 11 – in UP – the politically most-crucial state with 80 seats where the Congress has failed to make a mark in the last two Lok Sabha elections.

Suchana Seth, the Bengaluru-based CEO of a tech start-up accused of killing her four-year-old son in a Goa hotel, had visited the state with her child the previous week too and stayed at a five-star hotel for five days. A children's court in Panaji extended Suchana's police remand by five days on Tuesday. She was produced in court in Goa on Monday afternoon after her six-day police remand ended.

Delhi airport was a scene of chaos after unprecedented foggy conditions hit operations on Sunday and Monday. Tempers soared on board a flight on Sunday when a man allegedly attacked an IndiGo pilot after the flight was purportedly delayed for 13 hours. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security issued show cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator Mumbai International Airport Ltd after video of passengers having food on the tarmac beside an aircraft at the airport went viral on social media platforms. IndiGo was fined a total of Rs 1.20 crore for various violations, while Mumbai airport operator MIAL was fined Rs 60 lakh by BCAS.

India's Sumit Nagal defeated World No 31 Alexander Bublik in straight sets to advance into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday. He became the first Indian since Ramesh Krishnan at the 1989 Australian Open to beat a seeded player at a Grand Slam. But Nagal ran out of steam to lose to China’s Shang Juncheng 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 4-6 in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday.

This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.